7 Most Common Job Interview Questions
Increase your chances of getting the job!
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Hello friends 👋🏼
Trust your week is coming along nicely.
Over the past week, I spoke with 3 young people looking to change jobs. We covered general advice but also answered specific questions.
Out of those engagements came this post. Hope you find it useful whether you’re actively searching for a job now or not.
We will look at 7 of the most common job interview questions, why they are asked (what the interviewer is trying to understand), and how to answer them with examples.
Okay, here are 7 of the most common job interview questions for professionals, along with explanations of why interviewers ask them and tips on how to answer effectively:
1. "Tell me about yourself." (Or, "Walk me through your resume.")
Why they ask it: This is an icebreaker and a chance for the interviewer to get a high-level overview of your background and career progression. It's also a test of your communication skills and your ability to summarize your experience concisely. It's an open-ended question that gives the interviewer the opportunity to assess you.
How to answer:
Don't just recite your resume. Focus on the highlights and connect your experience to the specific job requirements.
Structure your answer chronologically (or reverse chronologically). Start with your education or earliest relevant experience and work your way forward.
Highlight key accomplishments and skills. Use quantifiable results whenever possible (e.g., "increased sales by 15%").
Tailor your answer to the specific role. Emphasize the experiences and skills that are most relevant to the job description.
Keep it concise (2-3 minutes max). Don't ramble.
End with a statement about why you're interested in this specific role and company.
2. "Why are you interested in this position?" (Or, "Why do you want to work here?")
Why they ask it: Interviewers want to assess your genuine interest in the role and the company. They want to see if you've done your research and if your career goals align with the opportunity.
How to answer:
Show you've done your homework. Research the company's mission, values, and products/services. For example, Tesla's mission is “to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy” If you’re interviewing for a role with them, you need to show you care about sustainable energy
Connect your skills and experience to the specific requirements of the role. Explain how your background makes you a good fit. “I have a degree in mass communication and I spent the first 5 years of my career in journalism, I believe this makes me an ideal candidate for this role…”
Express genuine enthusiasm. Show that you're excited about the opportunity and explain why.
Mention specific aspects of the company or role that appeal to you. (e.g., "I'm excited about the opportunity to work on [specific project]" or "I admire your company's commitment to [company value]").
Avoid generic answers. ("I need a job," 😭 "It's a good company" 😭😭)
3. "What are your strengths?"
Why they ask it: To see your self-awareness, and what relevant skills you have.
How to answer:
List relevant strengths that align with the requirements of the role.
Give specific examples or situations that showcase these strengths.
Do not give generic answers.
4. "What are your weaknesses?" (Or, "What areas would you like to improve?")
Why they ask it: This is a classic test of self-awareness and honesty. Interviewers want to see if you can identify areas for improvement and if you're proactive about addressing them.
How to answer:
Don't say you have no weaknesses. (That's unrealistic and unbelievable.)
Don't choose a "strength disguised as a weakness." ("I'm a perfectionist" is a cliché.)
Choose a genuine weakness that is not critical to the job.
Most importantly, explain what you're doing to address that weakness. Show that you're committed to self-improvement.
Example 1: "I used to struggle with delegating tasks, often feeling like I could do things better myself. However, I've been actively working on this by taking a leadership course and consciously practicing delegation on recent projects. I've learned to trust my team members and provide them with the support they need to succeed."
Example 2: A programmer (developer) could give a response like “Earlier in my career, all I cared about was learning the latest technology. I wanted to be the best developer around. But as I progressed, it became clear to me that my communication skills lagged behind my coding skills. Over the past 3 years, I have taken two communication courses- one at MIT and the other at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. I also joined a Toastmasters club and have seen great improvements in both my written and oral communication”
5. "Describe a time you failed. What did you learn?" (Or, "Tell me about a mistake you made.")
Why they ask it: Interviewers want to assess your resilience, your ability to learn from mistakes, and your problem-solving skills. They also want to see how you handle adversity.
How to answer:
Choose a real failure, but not a catastrophic one.
Briefly describe the situation and your role in it. Take responsibility for your actions.
Focus on what you learned from the experience. What did you do differently afterward?
Highlight the positive outcome (if any) or the steps you took to mitigate the damage.
Show that you're able to reflect on your mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth.
6. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
Why they ask it: Interviewers want to gauge your ambition, career goals, and whether they align with the company's potential growth path. They want to see if you're thinking long-term.
How to answer:
Be realistic but ambitious. Don't say you want to be the CEO in five years if you're applying for an entry-level role.
Show that you've thought about your career trajectory.
Connect your goals to the company and the role. Explain how the position fits into your long-term plans.
Focus on growth and development. Express your desire to learn new skills, take on more responsibility, and contribute to the company's success.
Avoid saying anything that suggests you'll be leaving the company soon. (e.g., "I want to start my own business in five years").
7. "Do you have any questions for me?"
Why they ask it: This is a crucial opportunity to show your engagement, curiosity, and preparation. It also allows you to gather information to help you decide if the role is right for you.
How to answer:
Always have questions prepared! This is a major red flag if you don't.
Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company.
Avoid asking questions that could easily be answered by a quick Google search.
Avoid saying “I don’t have any questions”
Don’t ask about your salary! 😔
Good examples:
"What are the biggest challenges facing the team/department in the next six months?"
"What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the company?"
"How does the company measure success in this role?"
"What are the next steps in the hiring process?"
Interview Pro Tips:
For every interview, I write out (with pen and paper) my response to the number 1 question above. I find that the simple act of writing, instead of typing, forces me to think carefully about my response
Record yourself responding to these questions and analyze the video later
Never be the first person to raise the question of remuneration. If they ask, here is a good post on how to answer
Check your internet connection ahead, if it’s a virtual interview.
Arrive 30 minutes before your interview, if it’s a physical interview. Join 10 minutes ahead and wait in the lobby, if it’s a virtual call. Being early gives you enough time to adjust things if you need to
Most importantly, don’t lie!
Recruiters see through your BS.
Good luck.
— ❤️ Azodo
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Great article. I've interviewed people for years and what you said is spot on :-)